Disembarkment

A month has passed since the storm crashed into the fleet. I released the young sea serpent a few days after the storm; she slapped her tail against the surface of the water before she dived home to the depths. I walked across the deck of the ship, watching the sun rise, revealing a white sand coastline. It's time. I walked below deck and faced the crew.

"Everyone," I say confidently, "we have made it to elvish lands. You all know the plan, but I will make it clear for you all once more. I will send a small reconnaissance team to scout the area, two elves and two humans. We must determine where we are. The great band in the sky is to our north, meaning the storm knocked us to the south. I-" A young woman with coal skin and deep brown eyes interrupted, "I have an idea. Why don't we use degrees and other angles of measurement to calc--"

"Shut up dragon lover!" screamed the man right next to her. A few of the elves chuckled at the comment.

"Let her speak," I remarked. I turned to her. "You have a good idea, using math to figure out these things. What is your name?"

"Falemneil Walenta," she smiled. "And thank you."

"Falemneil, calculate where we are using that idea of yours, but next time don't interrupt." I turned to face everyone. "If any of you have ideas that you may find useful, tell me. Now, back to the plan. We will go to the Exakre Empire, liberate a sizeable portion of slaves, and use them in our army. This part is crucial so listen carefully, the elves especially. We will treat these newly freed slaves as equals. This way they will be loyal. Finally, when all of this is over, everyone on these boats will be entitled to lands and any spoils of war they gather." The were grunts and nods of approval throughout the crowd. Good, good. Things are working out so far. The crew then dismissed to go about their business. I watched Famneil walk past carrying various measurement tools and walked up the stairs to the deck. I followed her up the stairs and looked at the band in the sky. Math to find directions? Interesting. I watched as a canoe with the scouting team landed on the beach. The other ships were beginning to reach mine as well. These ships look like any other ship. "Someone, design a flag!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. I got off the ship and walked onto the white, sandy shoreline. Small crabs scurried across the sand, darting in and out of the sand. The ships anchored down as we waited for the return of the scouts.

It's been three days since the scouts left and yet none have returned. After the second day, I sent out a small rescue team, but they also never returned. What's out there?" There's a knock on my cabin door. "Enter," I say, sitting at the edge of my bed.

"Hi," says Guangmei walking in with Josheire and Gaoreng, "any news on the scouting team?"

"No, nothing. Famneil said that we ended up farther south than we had hoped. She modified the map too. Now it has vertical and horizontal distance measurements.According to her math, we should at the coast of the Adju Tribes."

"You can't tell all that from numbers. It's too abstract," replied Josheire indignantly.

"Says the one who failed all the math courses he was taught," remarked Gaoreng. I laughed only to get a stern glare from Josheire. "Anyways," he continued, "her math could always be wrong and at present, we have no information about what's out there."

"You're right," I said, "I'm going there myself." I got up and grabbed my sword and cloak. "Gaoreng, stay here and maintain order. Deserters die. Mutineers get detained and remain unharmed. I'll deal with those when I get back. Guangmei, Joshiere, you're with me." I whistle to Itrust. The raptor got up and followed Barrékél to the ship's deck. Over the past few weeks at sea Itrust has grown considerably, 5 feet at the shoulder and 10 feet long, he has become more formidable. The down of his youth has almost completely been replaced with glossy green and black feathers, spreading from a crest on his head down his back to a fan on his tail.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," remarked Guangmei. "If there are hostile forces, and you die, what are we going to do?"

"Don't focus on things like death now. If I die, I die. If I live, I conquer. Simple as that." The two of them then grabbed their weapons and followed me off the ship, getting glances from the elves on the ship. They sneered at us and turned away as we walked past. I should talk to them more after I get back. They're too distant.

Tribesmen

We were walking through a thick jungle, full of strange plants and animals. The trees blocking most of the sunlight from reaching the forest floor, washing the world with grey. I didn't know how long we were walking, but Itrust started hissing. The crest of feathers on his head stood on edge, showing streaks of red developing. He darted to the left and let out a high pitched screech. I ran over to him, Josheire and Guangmei in toe. I began to see splotches of red on the leaves around me and on the ground. Shit, what happened here? I ran faster and lost my footing and slipped, sliding in front of Itrust. What just...? I looked at my hands and began to notice the strong scent of iron in the air. In front of me lay 30 or so corpses. About ten were human, the twenty others were elvish men of various ages wearing spotted furs. The fuck...? Before I could finish collect my thoughts, Joshiere grabbed me by the arm and threw me back, taking an arrow to the stomach. I jumped up and pulled out my sword. Joshiere aimed his bow to where the offending arrow came from. He fired, but no grunts of pain were heard. Guangmei held her spear in hand and stood beside Itrust. I heard a rustling of leaves to the right. "Who are you?" shouted the voice of an old man. "And why did you kill our kin?"

"We did not kill your kin," I shout back.

"Lies," shouted the voice of a young man behind us. "We heard the beast scream. When we arrived here, our people lay dead. You're covered in blood. Do you think we are idiots?"

"As you can clearly see, our weapons are clean. As you can see, my kin also lie dead. If we did kill them, why would our weapons not be covered with blood?" Josheire leaned over, "we should just cut them down with the rest of the troops," he whispered. "It would give us a common enemy to distract the army from their differences." The young man spoke again, "your kin lay dead because they attacked my people. My people died defending themselves from you, you disfigured elf!"

"Now calm down," said the old man to the young one, " the human has a point, his weapons are clean. His kind does not engage ours unless we encroach on their lands anyways." The owner of the old voice walked out from the foliage, showing a grey haired and skinned elf, spine bent over in old age. He walked with a limp, using a staff to support himself. "I apologize for assuming you three to be criminal."

"I don't blame you," I cordially replied. "I would've done the same."

"Uncle! What are you doing?" asked the young voice, full of concern.

"I am treating the human with respect, obviously."

"That's what a human looks like?" remarks the young one, unimpressed. "I thought they had horns, claws, and a tail."

"No, we don't," I replied. "What kind of stories do your elders tell you?" I turned to the old man, "Wise elder, if you may, take us to your village. I would like to know what kind of land I am in."

"Uncle, don't do.."

"Done, follow me." Joshiere and Guangmei looked at each other, probably thinking that I must be crazy. I scratched Itrust's back and followed the elderly elf.

We walked up a steep hill, being followed by an increasingly large amount of tribesmen. The forest began to clear up as we reached the top of the hill. We began to walk past small farms and huts. In the center of the farming village was a large tent, presumably where the chieftain resided in. "Brother!" The old man shouted. "We're back." A large figure emerged from the tent. An muscular, well built elf, easily eight feet tall approached us. He had blood red braids and free flowing hair running down his back. Hair can be that color? He wore a spotted pelt as a cloak, similar to how I wear a feathered one. "Vaoshena, I thought you all were going hunting?" he inquired with a deep, gravelly voice. "Yet you bring foreigners to our home. What is the meaning of this?"

"It's a long story, but in short, both of our people were attacked."

"What are humans doing in this land? Furthermore, why is Josheire, leader of the Ka'odreng Company here?

"We are here," I say as I walk towards the chieftain, "to liberate the relatives of this female elf, Guangmei, and bring them to a safer land."

"Interesting and unusual. However, I heard rumors of a human, no older than you, going to elvish lands with the Ka'odreng Company to capture, enslave, and sell."

"See," said the young elf who was hiding in the leaves earlier, "I told you that they killed our kin! You didn't believe me Uncle."

"Vaoshena? You brought murderers to my village?! Explain yourself now!" The chieftain exclaimed in a burst of rage.

"Brother, I have lived a long life. I am 300 years your elder. I fought and bled in the Great War. I fought in chains for the Exakre Empire. I saw humans. I watched them free enslaved elves, not kill them. You remember as much as I do who wanted peace and an end to war. You know who has the most ardent hatred of slavery. When we first saw this one, his weapons were clean, and unused. His beast must've called out to him of the death of his kinsmen; the same call which brought us to the location. The human was so shocked that he was on the floor, filled with the passionate fury and sadness which we have both seen consumed humans, causing them to drop to their knees." He took a long pause, as if contemplating what may be his final words. "I say we trust this young human."

"You have never lead me or this clan astray brother. While you may no longer be chief, we all trust your words." The chieftain turned to me, "Vaoshena has made his case. You three are free to live and move through or lands as long as my people are not endangered by your presence." I bowed my head, "thank you."

State of the Company

We were given a small tent at the outskirts of the village. Itrust, brought a large, horned creature to the front of the chieftain's camp as a sign of gratitude. The rest of the day was uneventful. The young elf, who accused us of murder, was charged with watching us for any suspicious activity, severely restricting our movement.

I walked out of our tent at sunset. I ran to the forest and caught the eye of the young elf, Eicha'onaomla. He followed me to the edge of the village, bow in hand. It's been awhile since I was on land. I need this. I hopped up onto the tree and scaled up to the canopy. I hooked my legs around one of the branches and hung upside down. "You still going to follow?" Eicha'onaolma looked up in amazement and attempted to climb the tree a few times before walking away. I looked out towards the horizon. So relaxing. I wouldn't mind staying here. The sun slowly set, allowing the stars to appear. Where do you all come from? Are you always behind the sun, hiding behind its brilliance? I turned around to enter the forest, but I saw something unusual, snapping me out of my peaceful enjoyment of the scenery, two deserters. I slowly and quietly hopped through the trees in their direction.

"Josheire is a true disappointment. It was bad enough that he worked for that old human, but a young one too, enough is enough."

"Not to mention that he leaves his slave in charge whenever he isn't around. His father was a better leader. We should've ended the bastard when he was a kid. Just think about how good life would've been without him."

"At least the raptor leaves clear tracts to follow."

These bastards. I rushed back to the village, leaping from branch to branch, in order to bring the news to Josheire. I looked back to see a long line of torches. What the fuck Josheire? How did you let this happen? No. How could I think something like this couldn't happen. I ran into the tent, seeing Josheire strip Guangmei.

"You going to join us?" said Guangmei. Joshiere, still wearing his hood and scarf, looked at her with disgust.

"No. Both of you, get ready for a fight. We got deserters in coming. At least a dozen," I rapidly said, grabbing my sword from next to Itrust and putting my armor back on. "And next time, make sure Itrust isn't here when you two fuck. Don't want to give the poor thing any ideas. Itrust skwaked and scribbled something on a piece of bark. He held it up. It read: "this is third time today." I started to laugh until I realized something. How can raptors write? How did he even learn? How smart is he? Itrust grabbed a wooden spear and peaked out of the tent. I looked over at Josheire, looking just as confused as I am. Guangmei, now dressed, looked impressed.

We lined up in front of the tent. "What do you think you're doing?" questioned Eicha'onaomla.

"My company dishonors me," Josheire states emotionlessly. "They have taken arms against me. They should be just down the hill by now." With that, Eicha'onaomla ran to the cheiftain's tent. Does Josheire not care or is he hiding it?

"There he is!" shouted a traitorous member. He was quickly engulfed in a stream of flames Joshiere let out of his left hand. "If you want me dead," he shouted consumed with rage, "come at me! All of you! All at once! I'll send you all to Kreichengre." He let a brighter, hotter stream of fire towards the forest, creating a wall of flames before us. A torrent of water came from behind the flames. An army of elves, at least 100 strong came from the forest. "I'm going to kill you all!" Joshiere snarled. I turned around and gave him a quick punch in the face.

"No you idiot! Run!" Guangmei appeared in front of us, "the chieftain is already getting everyone out of here. There won't be any innocent deaths." She turned to me, "I fought worse odds." A fireball shot above us, barely missing Joshiere's head. He charged in, sword coated in fire, towards the mass of enemies. Really? Guangmei's eyes turned red and lightning struck down in the mass of enemies. Guess we're fighting. "Itrust, let's go!" I charged in after Josheire, dodging fireballs and streams of water. I met the first soldier with a slash to the stomach, he jumped back, dodging the blow. From behind, Itrust spat acid into his eyes. The elf screamed in agony as his face began to dissolve. I shoved my sword through his chest. As he collapsed, I slashed through the side of the skull, ensuring death. I felt a sharp pain in my side as an arrow pierced through a gap in my armor. I turned around and felt another arrow graze by my face, cutting my cheek. I clashed swords with another traitor, but shifted over, in attempts to make it harder for the archer to hit me. I heard Itrust screech as a sword cut through his arm. I turned around in panic. That instant I felt the sensation of metal cutting flesh. I dropped forward to the ground, avoiding what would've been a fatal blow if I was a quarter of a second slower. I flipped around and stabbed my opponent in the knee. I got back up and blocked a blow to the side from another elf. The first stabbed me through the stomach. I felt blood leak out of the wound. I turned to see him balanced on one leg. Itrust whipped the second elf with his tail, distracting him, so I could get a chance to attack. The elf was too quick, however, and he parried with his sword. Bolts of lightning struck around me as Guangmei attempted to provide rear support, but more traitors appeared. How am I not dead? I should be dead.

I quickly saw my chance, the trees. Before I could formulate another thought, I was stabbed through the side. No more of this shit. My eyes turned red as more blood flowed from my wounds. The elves around me turned to ice, brittle, and weak. I walked towards the tree line, freezing those in my way. I'm not letting them get in my way. Go to whatever gods you believe in. I climbed up a tree and inhaled. Those in my way shall be no more. Those in my way do not deserve further existence. I looked down at the battlefield beneath me, allies surrounded, foes numbering about 150. I exhaled. The land below me, coated in frost and ice. The battle frozen in place. I inhaled. I walked over to Josheire, frozen in an expression of anger, hate, and sorrow. I exhaled. He slowly thawed, continuing to block a frozen sword. I inhaled. I walked over to Guangmei, stuck in an expression of exhaustion. She slowly thawed, arms raised, summoning more lightning to fire at the enemy. I exhaled. I walked over to Itrust, who was pushing down enemy soldiers, shattering them. How come you're not frozen? I walked around, pushing elves down left and right, killing them without contest.

"What happened?" Joshiere asked, stunned at the sight of frozen shards of his enemies on the floor. Guangmei walked over shocked at the complete destruction of the enemy. "You must have some really destructive tendencies Bar," she said in disbelief.

"Something like that," I reply indifferently. "We should leave." We walked down to the hill, seeing near a thousand dead traitors in the forest. They weren't the only ones dead, however, birds and other forest creatures lay dead as well. What could cause all of this? The corpses only grew in number as we approached the beach, covered with soot and ash. The ships, lay torched at the coastline. We met Gaoreng and the remainder of the army on the beach. Gaoreng, head bowed and on his knees merely says, "I have failed."